Formal and informal letters

Elementary
 FORMAL LETTER
VS.
INFORMAL LETTER

Marta Morejón
Alejandra Rodríguez
Structure
• Address

• Greeting: Opening remarks, reason for writing.

• Body: Information.

• Closing: Closing remarks.

• Signing off
 Formal letter
2 Calle sin nombre
London
5 January 2011
Dear Sir or Madam

I’m writing in response to your advertisement. I would like to apply for the post of part
time secretary.

I believe this position would an ideal way of gaining more experience of secretarial work.
I have strong communication skills and I’m very interested in working while I am
finishing the degree of administration. I also enjoy working in a team.
My qualifications include a module of administration and two years of the degree of
Administration and Business Management at the university.
Please find attached my CV; which provides more details of my qualifications and work
experience. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require more information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,
Pepita.
Informal letter
58 Big Ben
London
24 May 2011
Hi Andrea,

Thanks for your letter. It was nice to hear from you.

As you know, I’m in London with my parents and my brothers since one week. I’m
staying in an expensive hotel. There are lots of nice and dynamic places to see as
the Westminster Bridge. At night it’s precious! People are polite although a bit
difficult to understand. I must to practice more the English!
The weather is changeable but usually it's wet and windy. The last week was very
cold. The food is varied and expensive but it's tasty. This night we’re going to a
famous restaurant to have dinner.

I’ve got to go now. Write soon!

Love,
Pepita.
AN INFORMAL LETTER

– a letter to a friend or a member of a family

A FORMAL LETTER

- A letter to a business partner, college or any

professionals
LAYOUT OF A LETTER
1. YOUR ADDRESS

2. THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON

TO WHOM YOU ARE WRITING

3. THE DATE
4. THE GREETING,

5. THE BODY OF THE LETTER (INTRODUCTION, MAIN

PARTS, CONCLUSION)

6. THE ENDING
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO WRITE THE DATE?

WRITE THE DATE IN ENGLISH:

1.1.2013
6.4.2013
2.7.2013
3.10.2013
1st January January 1st

6th April April 6th

2nd July July 2nd

3rd December December 3rd

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO WRITE THE DATE?

Now rewrite in American way:

1/1/2013
6/4/2013
2/7/2013
3/10/2013
 The greeting
Complete the chart. Which greetings belong to
formal or to informal letters?
FORMAL LETTERS Dear LETTERS
INFORMAL John,
Dear Sir,
Dear Mr. Smith,
Dear Jane,
Dear Madam,
Dear Sir or Madam,
 The greeting
Complete the chart. Which greetings belong to
formal or to informal letters?
FORMAL LETTERS INFORMAL LETTERS

Dear Mr. Smith, Dear John,

Dear Madam, Dear Jane,

Dear Sir or
Madam,

Dear Sir,
 Phrases for an informal letter
Thanks for: - your letter
- your present
- your invitation.

I hope you are well.

It was good to see you last week.
Could you do something for me?
 Phrases for a formal letter
I am writing to - inform you….
- to confirm our

I would like to
Could you possibly ….
I would be grateful if you could

I look forward to hearing from you.

 The ending
Complete the chart. Which endings are suitable for
formal or informal letters?
FORMAL LETTERS Love,LETTERS
INFORMAL Peter
Yours sincerely,
Best wishes,
Kind regards,
Yours faithfully,
Yours Jane,
 The ending
Complete the chart. Which endings are suitable for
formal or informal letters?
FORMAL LETTERS INFORMAL LETTERS

Yours sincerely Love, Peter ,

Yours faithfully, Best wishes,

Yours Jane,

Kind regards,
Yours sincerely x Yours faithfully

Yours faithfully,
If you don't know the name of the person you're
writing to

Yours sincerely,
If you know the name of the person you're
writing to
Use ideas on the next page to complete this letter.
Thanks for the invitation to your party on Friday.

Love,
It was so nice to see you last week.

I´ll be there at 8 o´clock.

Dear Petr,

I´ll bring some good red wine.

See you soon!

Use ideas on the next page to complete this letter.

Your address
Name and address of
someone who you are
writing to

Date
Dear Peter,

It was so nice to see you last week.

Thanks for the invitation to your party on Friday. I´ll be there
at 8 o´clock. I´ll bring some good red wine. See you soon!

Love,
Your name
 Formal letter VS. Informal letter

• Greeting:
Dear Sir or Madam
Hi
I’m writing
Thanks for your
in response
letter. Ittowas
your
nice
advertisement.
to hear from you.

• Closing:
I look forward to hearing from you.
I’ve got to go now. Write soon!
Yours faithfully,
Love,